We are pleased to announce a launch event to report the findings of a major study to investigate the public health impacts of different strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
John Snow Lecture Theatre London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 25 November 2009, 9.30-16.30
The funders of the study, the research team and the Lancet invite you to hear more about the findings and their implications. Speakers will include the UK Secretary of State for Health and representatives of the World Health Organisation.
To reserve your place, please visit www.wellcometrustevents.org/climatechange.
Climate change threatens the health of millions of people worldwide. In December 2009, the UN Climate Change Conference will meet in Copenhagen to discuss a global agreement to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions.
Different mitigation strategies are likely to have different implications for health. For example, would a move to low carbon sources of power improve public health by reducing air pollution? What could be the health impacts of encouraging people to cycle and walk rather than take the car? Could improved biomass cook stoves in developing countries have impacts on child and maternal health as well as greenhouse gas emissions?
In the first major study of its kind, an international team of researchers has been modelling the health effects of different policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in high and low-income countries. Case studies focus on four key sectors: power generation, transport, household energy, and food and agriculture. The study findings will be published in a special Series in the Lancet in November 2009.
Event sessions:
9.30-12.15: The health impacts of climate change This session will examine the potential health impacts of climate change, and discuss the UK and global response to this threat.
13.30-16.30: The public health impacts of reducing greenhouse gas emissions This session, linked with a simultaneous event in the US will focus on the health impacts of mitigation strategies, including the launch of the study findings. The session will begin with a keynote presentation from the UK Secretary of State for Health. A joint panel in London and Washington will discuss the policy implications of the work, and consider ways to encourage technological and behavioural change, via live satellite link.
The meeting will be held in the John Snow Lecture Theatre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street. Registration will begin at 9.30am.
The event is free, but places must be reserved in advance and are on a first come first served basis.
To reserve your place, please visit www.wellcometrustevents.org/climatechange.
For more information visit www.wellcome.ac.uk/climatechange.
If you have a general enquiry please email climatechange@wellcome.ac.uk.